Should I buy a plasma or an LCD flat panel HDTV? That is the question for many would-be HDTV buyers in today’s flat panel dominated HDTV world. Plasma panels, or PDPs as they are referred to, are still considered by most display experts, me included, all things considered, to produce better pictures then LCD flat panel HDTVs. That, of course, is a generalization. Let’s define it for the purposes of determining what is better for a particular application. Strictly speaking, if picture quality is the primary priority, then the best plasmas will outperform the best LCD panels. This is due mainly to the fact that the better plasma panels have superior black level performance, which in turn gives them greater contrast ratio. Contrast ratio is the single most important component of a video picture to the human eye. We refer to this as the “Snap” or “Pop” of the picture. Additionally, better black level performance also equates to deeper more saturated color.  

Plasma Pros: 

·     Better blacks means better contrast ratio

·     Better color saturation due to better black level performance

·     Better motion tracking (little or no motion lag in fast moving images)

·     Bigger screen sizes for less money  

Plasma Cons: 

·     Reflective glass screens mean distracting reflections when light is bouncing off the screen

·     Not as bright as LCD panels

·     Potential burn-in problems from static images

·     Draws more electrical current then LCD panels

·     Does not perform as well at higher altitudes

Since we have already covered plasma’s superior contrast ratio due to better black level performance, let’s look at the other factors. If the set is designed properly with accurate color decoding, and accurate primary (Red, Green, and Blue) and colors, then, the better black levels will also contribute to more saturated and richer color reproduction. There are no speed issues with plasma so motion blur is not an issue. This means any fast action material whether film based entertainment on DVD or Blu-ray, Sports, and even video games will likely look better on a plasma panel. As far as pricing is concerned the playing field is getting to be more level now between the two display technologies, but plasma is still more affordable when it comes to screen sizes of 50-inches and larger.

Now let’s go over the negatives behind plasma. Reflective glass screens can be distracting when there is direct light hitting the screen. Manufacturers have, in recent years, refined the coating they apply to their screens to reduce this issue so it isn’t as big a problem as it used to be. It is true that plasma panels are not capable of as much light output inch for inch as their LCD counterparts. This would be an important consideration if the room has little or no light control, and you plan on watching a significant amount of the time during the day. Another issue or problem that is nowhere near as prevalent as it used to be is phosphor burn. This is still a potential problem, but it can be avoided and for the most part is no longer a permanent issue. We refer to it as “Image Retention” as it usually dissipates over a short period of time if you play 16:9 material that fills the screen.

LCD Pros: 

·     Extremely bright and therefore better able to compete with ambient light, which makes them a better choice for bright rooms.

·     No burn in issues.

·     No high altitude use issues.

LCD Cons: 

·     Generally poor black level performance, which also reduces contrast ratio.

·     Poorer motion tracking (potential motion lag in fast moving images).

·     The really large screen sizes from 52-inches and up are still generally more expensive than plasma.

The negative aspects of LCD start with inferior black level performance, which translates into a less snappy three dimensional picture.  Color saturation also tends not to be as good as plasma as a result of inferior blacks. There is a potential for motion tracking problems depending on the make a model of an LCD panel. This can be a real issue with fast motion, which of course occurs with most sporting events, and also with many fast action films as well. 

Before determining what is the best display type for you, the application or where the TV will be located, and what the primary viewing habits are should be carefully determined. For example, if you are going to be using the display in a room where you have control over the ambient light, etc, and picture quality is of primary concern, and you will be primarily interested in watching movies on Blu-ray or HDTV broadcasts from cable or Satellite, then plasma would be the right choice. On the other hand, if you plan on having the set in a room with a lot of ambient light, and little or no control over the light (shades, etc), and you will be using it frequently in high ambient light conditions, then an LCD panel would be a better choice. Also because of phosphor burn issues with plasmas, heavy video game users are better off with an LCD panel as they don’t have image retention or burn issues.  
 
Whichever flat panel display type you opt for, make sure to do your homework as they are not all created equal. Shopping on price alone is a sure way to find disappointment in picture quality. On the other hand, there are some real good values in both categories. Visit TweakTV’s forum and ask our experts their opinions on whatever brand and model you are considering. You will get an unbiased professional opinion that is based on experience, and is heavily weighted by picture performance.